Jim Bowden, member of the 1976 Eastwood Highschool basketball team, signs posters of the upcoming March of the Troopers documentary which focuses on the team. (Vanessa Monsisvais / El Paso Times)

For the second time in six months, filmmaker Charlie Minn will tackle an El Paso high school sports triumph.

Minn on Thursday at Applebee's announced the coming release of his documentary "March of the Troopers," which tells the story of the 1976 Eastwood High School basketball team that won the Texas state championship. The film will begin showing March 1 at Premiere Cinema at Bassett Place.

"It's a rare feat," said Minn, who has now directed several documentaries about the Borderland. "This was truly a team effort. It's a top-five moment in El Paso sports history, one that deserves attention, recognition and a legacy."

Reporter Evan Mohl

In December, Minn released "21 Outs," a documentary he directed about the 2009 Socorro High School baseball team, which showed for about two weeks at Premiere Cinema. He began filming for "March of the Troopers" in November and will finish in the coming weeks. But this time Minn is one of the producers, which gives him more directorial control, he said.

Financial backing for the documentary came from the Eastwood basketball team. Ten of the players contributed financially, and the majority was given by Jim Bowden, one of the stars on the team. Two other players could not be located.

Former University of Texas at El Paso player and Bowden teammate Steve Yellen and Maj. Gen. Dana J.H. Pittard, a 1977 graduate of Eastwood, also supported the film.

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"It's been very special reliving those memories," Bowden said. "Back in 1976, I don't think we realized what we accomplished or the significance of it, and maybe this can inspire someone else to do it."

The film, Minn said, will focus on the individuals and their evolution that helped make the team a success. The 10 players were interviewed, including four who went on to play Division I basketball, along with several coaches and trainers. Nolan Richardson, opposing coaches, Tim Floyd and Mary Haskins also make appearances.

The hardest part, Minn said, was finding footage.

However, Minn was able to piece together photos and film found from the championship and semifinal games. Hobbs High School donated film of its tournament that year, which Eastwood won.

Highlights of "March of the Troopers" include the overtime game to knock off No. 1 Victoria, a standing ovation for Bowden at the Hobbs Tournament and a look at what happened to the players after their historic accomplishment. Minn said he hopes the film shows how the team came together and captures the significance of its achievement.

"It was really wonderful," said player Tim Crenshaw. "I just think it was tough to do and something that needs to be done again."

Evan Mohl may be reached at emohl@elpasotimes.com; 546-6381. Follow him on Twitter @EvanMohl